Interfere Definition, Examples & Usage Guide

Meaning 1：meddle in others' affairs (interfere)

interfere 🔊

/ˌɪntərˈfɪr/

vi.

to involve yourself in something that is not your business, often causing problems or annoyance.

Interfere hand reaching into children's board game causing annoyance

meddle in others' affairs 🔊

➕

/ˈmɛdəl ɪn ˈʌðərz əˈfɛrz/

vi.

To involve yourself in a situation where you are not wanted or needed, often causing disruption or annoyance.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Latin 'inter' (between) + 'ferire' (to strike). Originally meant to strike together, later evolved to mean meddling.

💡 Mnemonic

Inter + fear: when you 'inter' (bury) yourself into others' business, you should 'fear' causing trouble.

📖 Example

The mother asked the father not to interfere while she was helping their child with homework. 🔊 The mother asked the father not to intervene while she was helping their child with homework.

🔗 Collocations

interfere with – to disrupt or hinder a process or activity

interfere in – to become involved in a situation without being asked

interfere between – to try to settle or affect a relationship between two parties

🔄 Synonyms

meddle (v.) – to involve oneself in matters that do not concern one

intervene (v.) – to come between to alter or prevent a course of action

intrude (v.) – to enter a situation without invitation or welcome

🚫 Antonyms

mind one's own business (phrase) – to stay out of others' affairs

ignore (v.) – to refuse to take notice of something

allow (v.) – to let something happen without interfering

🌱 Derivatives

interference (n.) – the act of interfering or the state of being interfered with

interfering (adj.) – tending to meddle or intrude

noninterference (n.) – a policy of not interfering in other people's affairs

📖 Cultural Story

From Latin 'interferre' (to strike between). In the 16th century, it shifted from physical collision to unwanted involvement in others' affairs, common in legal and social contexts.